Level including a slot for receiving a straight edge

ABSTRACT

A level including a first plate defining a top surface of the tool, and a second plate defining a bottom surface of the tool. The bottom plate extends generally parallel to the first plate. The level also includes a center plate having two opposing side surfaces extending generally perpendicular to the first plate and the second plate. The center plate connects the first plate and the second plate. The level further includes a plurality of apertures extending through the center plate, and a plurality of tubular vials disposed within the plurality of apertures. Each tubular vial contains fluid and air. The level also includes a slot extending along the first plate from a first end of the tool to a second end of the tool. The slot is configured to receive a straight edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/940,250, filed Nov. 13, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/079,050, filed Nov. 13, 2014, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a hand tool, such as a level, fordetermining the orientation of a surface, and more particularly to ahand tool for use with straight edges. Leveling tools are generally usedto determine the orientation of a surface by placing the tool on anobject and determining whether an air bubble contained within a fluidvial aligns with a central portion of the vial. If the air bubble iscentrally aligned within the fluid vial, the surface is considered to belevel. If the air bubble is outside of the central area of the vial, thesurface is not level and can be readjusted until the air bubble alignswith the central portion of the vial.

SUMMARY

In one construction, the invention provides a level including a firstplate defining a top surface of the level, and a second plate defining abottom surface of the level. The bottom plate extends generally parallelto the first plate. The level also includes a center plate having twoopposing side surfaces extending generally perpendicular to the firstplate and the second plate. The center plate connects the first plateand the second plate. The level further includes a plurality ofapertures extending through the center plate, and a plurality of tubularvials disposed within the plurality of apertures. Each tubular vialcontains fluid and air. The level also includes a slot extending alongthe first plate from a first end of the tool to a second end of thetool. The slot is configured to receive a straight edge.

In another construction, the invention provides a level including a bodyhaving a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface extendsparallel to the bottom surface. The level also includes a plurality ofapertures disposed along a length of the body between the top surfaceand the bottom surface, and a plurality of tubular vials is coupled tothe body. One of the plurality of tubular vials is positioned withineach aperture. Each tubular vial includes fluid and an air bubble. Thelevel further includes a slot extending along a length of the topsurface. The slot is configured to support a straight edge.

In yet another construction, the invention provides a leveling systemincluding a level having a body with a first end, a second end, a topplate extending from the first end to the second end and defining a topsurface, and a bottom plate extending from the first end to the secondend and defining a bottom surface. The level also includes a pluralityof apertures disposed along the body between the top plate and thebottom plate, and a plurality of tubular vials disposed within theplurality of apertures. Each tubular vial contains fluid and an airbubble. The level further includes a slot recessed within the top plate.The leveling system also includes a straight edge removably receivedwithin the slot.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practicedor of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a level according to oneconstruction of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a first side view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a second side view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the level of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the level of FIG. 1 in use with astraight edge.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the level of FIG. 1 in use with a straightedge.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the level of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate an exemplary hand tool or level 10 (referred toherein as a “level” for purposes of description only) for determiningthe orientation of a surface or an object 14. The illustrated level 10includes a body 18 having a first or top plate 22, a second or bottomplate 26, and a central portion or web 30 connecting the top plate 22and the bottom plate 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top plate 22 andthe bottom plate 26 are generally parallel to one another. The top plate22 defines a top surface 30 of the level 10, and the bottom plate 26defines a bottom surface 34. The level 10 can rest on an object 14 uponeither the top surface 30 or the bottom surface 34 of the level 10. Inaddition, the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 26 each have a frontedge 38, 42 and a back edge 46, 50, respectively. The front edges 38, 42of the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 26 are aligned along the sameplane so that the level 10 can also rest on an object 14 upon the frontedges 38, 42. Likewise, the back edges 46, 50 of the top plate 22 andthe bottom plate 26 are aligned so that the level 10 can rest on anobject 14 upon the back edges 46, 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 30 includes a centralplate that extends perpendicular to the top plate 22 and the bottomplate 26. The central portion 30 is provided with a front surface 54 anda back surface 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edges 38, 42and the back edges 46, 50 of the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 26extend beyond a width of the central portion 30, where the width isdefined by the distance between the front surface 54 and the backsurface 58. In other embodiments, the front edges 38, 42 and the backedges 46, 50 of the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 26 are alignedwith the front surface 54 and the back surface 58 of the central portion30. Any of the surfaces and/or edges of the level may be provided withruler markers for measuring distance. In other embodiments, the topplate 22 and the bottom plate 26 may be oriented at a 45 degree anglerelative to one another.

The central portion 30 includes a plurality of apertures 62 positionedbetween the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 26. In the illustratedembodiment, the apertures 62 form through holes that extend through thewidth of the central portion 30. In other embodiments, the apertures 62form recesses such that the apertures 62 only extend partially throughthe width of the central portion 30. A plurality of tubular vials 66 aredisposed within the plurality of apertures 62. Each tubular vial 66contains fluid 70 and an air bubble 74, which can shift from side toside within the vial 66. When the level 10 is placed on top of an object14, the position of the air bubble 74 within the vial 66 indicates theorientation of the object 14. If the bubble remains centered along thelongitudinal axis of the vial 66, this is an indication that the object14 is level 10 with respect to the vial 66. The vials 66 are providedwith linear markings 78 which help to delineate the center of the vials66. In some embodiments, the linear marking 78 extends through thecenter of the vial 66. In other embodiments, two linear markings 78 arespaced apart from one another to represent a central area of the vial66. In other embodiments, the vials 66 include multiple linear markings78 representing different distances from the center of the vial 66.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each tubular vial 66 is oriented in adifferent direction so that the vials 66 can be used to measure andlevel different desired angles of an object 14. Specifically, in theillustrated embodiment, a first vial 66 a is used to measure a 0 degreeangle, a second vial 66 b is used to measure a 90 degree angle, and athird vial 66 c is used to measure a 45 degree angle. As such, the firstvial 66 a extends parallel to the top and bottom surfaces 30, 34, thesecond vial 66 b extends perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces30, 34, and the third vial 66 c extends at a 45 degree angle relative tothe top and bottom surfaces 30, 34. In other embodiments, additionalvials 66 can be used to measure other angles. For example, a forth vial66 can be used to measure a 30 degree angle. Although the illustratedlevel 10 includes three apertures 62 with each aperture 62 containing asingle vial 66, the number of apertures 62 and/or vials 66 can vary. Insome embodiments, multiple vials 66 may be positioned within a singleaperture 62.

As shown in FIG. 5, a window 82 is disposed within the top plate 22 toprovide visual access to one of the vials 66. The window 82 providesvisual access to the vial 66 from a different angle than viewing thevials 66 from within the apertures 62. For example, the window 82 allowsa user to view the vial 66 from an angle above or below the level 10. Inaddition, typically, when the level 10 is used to determine theorientation of an object 14, the level 10 is placed on the object 14with either the top surface 30 or the bottom surface 34 resting on theobject 14. In this configuration the vials 66 are viewed from within theapertures 62. The window 82 enables a person to determine theorientation of an object 14 when the level 10 is resting on the object14 with either the front edges 38, 42 or the back edges 46, 50 of thetop plate 22 and the bottom plate 26. In some embodiments, additionalwindows 82 are positioned along either the top plate 22 or the bottomplate 26 to provide visual access to one or more vial 66. For example,in some embodiments, three windows 82 are disposed along the bottomplate 26 and are aligned with each of the tubular vials 66.

With reference to FIG. 10, the vials 66 are supported within theapertures 62 by support structures 86 that line the inside of theapertures 62. The support structures 86 help couple the vials 66 to thebody 18 of the level 10 along the central portion 30. The supportstructures 86 are surrounded by a first casing 90 and second casing 94.Specifically, the first casing 90 surrounds the support structures 86 onthe front surface 54 of the central portion 30, and the second casing 94surrounds the support structures 86 on the back surface 58 of thecentral portion 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the supportstructures 86 and the casings 90, 94 are secured to the central portion30 by threaded fasteners (e.g., screws) extending through bosses 92 andapertures 96 of the casing 94, the support structure 86, and the centralportion 30. In other embodiments, the support structures 86, the casings90, 94, and the central portion 30 may be coupled together withadhesive, snap fittings, or other suitable means.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a slot 98 extends along the top surface 30 ofthe level 10 and is recessed within the top plate 22. The slot 98 formsa hollow interior channel through the top plate 22. The slot 98 extendsin a longitudinal direction of the level 10 from a first end 102 of thelevel 10 to a second end 106 of the level 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the slot 98 is continuous (i.e., uninterrupted) from thefirst end 102 to the second end 106 of the level 10. In otherembodiments, the slot 98 only extends partially along the length of thetop surface 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 98 also extendsthrough the window 82. In other embodiments, the slot 98 may be spacedapart from the window 82 or may be formed in the opposite plate from thewindow 82. In some embodiments, the window 82 may be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the slot 98 is configured to receive and supporta straight edge 110 (e.g., a ruler). The slot 98 includes a shelf 114and two side walls 118. The side walls 118 are recessed into the topplate 22 with the shelf 114 connecting the side walls 118. The straightedge 110 rests on the shelf 114 and is captured between the side walls118. The side walls 118 and the shelf 114 form a dovetail shape whenviewed from either end 102, 106 of the level 10. Specifically, in theillustrated embodiment, the side walls 118 are oriented at an angle 122that is less than 90 degrees with respect to the shelf 114 when measuredthrough the interior channel of the slot 98. The dovetail shape enablesthe straight edge 110 to rest on the shelf 114 and lean against one ofthe side walls 118 such that the straight edge 110 is supported by theslot 98 at the oblique angle 126 relative to the top surface 30. Asshown in FIG. 9, the ability of the slot 98 to support the straight edge110 at an oblique angle 126 enables the straight edge 110 to leanagainst a wall 130 or other surface such that an upper perimeter 134 ofthe straight edge 110 can be used as a guide when drawing on the wall130. In other embodiments, the slot 98 is square, curved, or otherwiseshaped when viewed from either end 102, 106 of the level 10. Forexample, in some embodiments, the side walls 118 may be generallyperpendicular with respect to the shelf 114.

For relatively shorter levels 10, the straight edge 110 can also helpextend the length of the level 10. Thus, the level 10 and straight edge110 combination could be used to draw a line that is level 10 along adistance that is greater than the length of the level 10. In addition,if an object 14 does not have a long enough surface to support the level10, a straight edge 110 can be used to lengthen the surface of theobject 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 98 is positioned along a centralportion 30 of the top plate 22. In other embodiments, the number andposition of the slots 98 can vary. For example, in some embodiments, theslot 98 is positioned along the front edge 38 or back edge 46 of the topplate 22, or along the bottom surface 34 of the level 10. In addition,the level 10 can include more than one slot 98. For example, in someembodiments, a first slot 98 is positioned along the top plate 22, and asecond slot 98 is positioned along the bottom plate 26. The first slot98 may have a dovetail shape when viewed from either end 102, 106, andthe second slot 98 may have a different shape when viewed from eitherend 102, 106. In addition, the level 10 may include other features, suchas a hole 138 positioned proximate the first end 102 of the level 10 forreceiving a key ring.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon review of the disclosure. Although the invention has beendescribed in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one ormore independent aspects of the invention described.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A level comprising: a first plate defining a topsurface of the level; a second plate defining a bottom surface of thelevel; a center plate connecting the first plate and the second plate; alevel vial supported by the center plate; and a slot extending along thefirst plate from a first end of the level to a second end of the level,the slot configured to receive a straight edge, wherein the slotincludes a first wall and a second wall both recessed into the firstplate and a shelf connecting the first and second walls, and furtherwherein the first wall is angled relative to the shelf such that aninterior angle measured within the slot between the shelf and the firstwall is less than 90 degrees.
 2. The level of claim 1, wherein the topsurface is generally parallel to the bottom surface and the shelf isparallel to the top surface and to the bottom surface.
 3. The level ofclaim 2, wherein a width of the top surface is greater than a width ofthe center plate.
 4. The level of claim 1, further comprising a secondslot extending along a length of the first plate or the second plate. 5.The level of claim 1, wherein the slot is configured to removablyreceive the straight edge such that the first plate supports thestraight edge.
 6. The level of claim 1, wherein the slot extendscontinuously from the first end to the second end of the level.
 7. Thelevel of claim 1, wherein the slot extends longitudinally through acentral portion of the first plate.
 8. The level of claim 1, wherein theslot is configured to support the straight edge at an oblique anglerelative to the top surface of the level.
 9. The level of claim 1,further comprising an aperture defined within the center plate, whereinthe level vial is supported within the aperture.
 10. The level of claim1, further comprising a window formed in the first plate, wherein thewindow facilitates viewing of the level vial, and wherein the slotextends through the window.
 11. A level comprising: a body having a topsurface and a bottom surface, the top surface extending parallel to thebottom surface; a level vial coupled to the body and positioned betweenthe top surface and the bottom surface; and a slot extending along alength of the top surface between a first end and a second end of thelevel, the slot configured to support a straight edge, wherein the slotincludes a first wall and a second wall both recessed below the topsurface and a shelf connecting the first and second walls, and furtherwherein the first wall and the second wall are generally perpendicularto the shelf.
 12. The level of claim 11, wherein the slot extendscontinuously from the first end of the level to the second end of thelevel.
 13. The level of claim 11, wherein the slot extendslongitudinally through a central portion of the top surface.
 14. Thelevel of claim 11, wherein the shelf is parallel to the top surface. 15.A level comprising: a body having a top surface and a bottom surface; alevel vial coupled to the body and positioned between the top surfaceand the bottom surface; and a slot extending along a length of the topsurface between a first end and a second end of the level, the slotconfigured to support a straight edge, the slot including a side walland a shelf, wherein the side wall of the slot is angled inward toward acenter of the body such that a width of slot at the top surface is lessthan or equal to a width of the slot at the shelf.
 16. The level ofclaim 15, wherein the slot includes two side walls and a shelf connectedto the two side walls.
 17. The level of claim 15, wherein the slot isdovetail-shaped when viewed from the first end.
 18. The level of claim15, wherein the slot extends continuously from the first end of thelevel to the second end of the level.
 19. The level of claim 15, whereinthe slot extends longitudinally through a central portion of the topsurface.
 20. The level of claim 15, wherein the slot is configured tosupport the straight edge at an oblique angle relative to the topsurface of the body.